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Ill Kftuly Refer lo: At-.-) ' AUG 22 W4
Lxxon Conven*, U.S.A. Attention: Mr. M. k. tfemeck Post Office Bex 42 7 9 Houston, Tern 77210
fcoatleaaM;
Met erence it wide to your In i t ia l Plan ot exploration and Ln v 1 ronewn ta I Report received August l i , IW4, for Leases otS-C 6788 end o7«9, Hocks 129 end 144, respectively, east Delta free. Tnis plan Includes the act ivi t ies proposed for s ix we l ls .
In eccomanca nith JO CFR *&0.d4, revised uecoober l a , 19/9, ano oor letter doted January 29, 1979, this plan has oeen dete mined to ba caaplate os of August 22, 1J04, and is now being onsldered for approval.
Your plon control ayfrer Is u-1784 ana ihould be rv ftr rave co In yuur cosssuolce-tlon and correspondence concerning tMs plan.
bcc; Loase uCS-i o7*tf (OPW-J i (i iLc WON) .Loose uCS-c 0789 (OPS-2-3) (F lU ROOM) \orS»k-» w/FuolIc Info. Copv of tna plan end tft (PUBLIC RLCQftbS ROOM)
Sincerely yours.
(Orig. Sgd.} D. W. Solanas
AUU*ert:atJ:*/ i3/e4 01 sk 3o
AUG 2 3 1084
»
BTfCpti COMPANY U S A. AUG 13 694 W T » K I BOM 427t>HOUSTON Tt*A« 77J 10-42 >•
•UIU ANO PltttUCTNM
Q U ' » ' i »••••< O - V K X h t l k t »AC»C O M S K *
August 10, 1984
Initial Plan of exploration Exxon OCS-G 6788 and OCS-C 6789 Blockt 129 and 144 Waat Dolta Aroa Offshore Louiaiana
EXXON PROPRIETARY
Mr. D. w. Solanaa Minorola Manageaent S a r v l c e P. 0 . Box 7944
M e t e i r i e , Louiaiana 70010-7944
Ooor Mr. Solanas: E n c l o e e d are nine c o p i e s of an I n i t i a l Plon of Explorot ion ( four o f which are labe led "For Publ ic I n f o r m s t i o n " ) , en E n v l r o n a e n t o l R e p o r t , and a CZM C o n o i e t e n c y C e r t i f i c e t i o n fo i the e u b j e c t b l o c k s . We plen to d r i l l the f i r s t we l l covered by the Plen with t h o Zepeta Vorktown, a eea i -aubaere ib le r i g or a l a i l a r equlpaent ond ore hopeful thot oporetlone can commence ebout September 14 , 1984 .
I f you hove any q u e e t l o n e regard ing t h l a P l a n , E n v l r o n a e n t o l R e p o r t , or Cono ie tency C e r t i f i c a t i o n , p l e o e e c e l l ae et 7 1 3 / -591-5390 or Mo. M s r e l l e Moy et 713/591-5231.
S i n c e r e l y ,
W. R. Wornock
MBMife
E n c l o e u r e s
Additional Statement
Tht proposed activity wil l be carried out and completed with the guarantee of tho following Hams:
1. The best available and safest technologies, as set forth in the Gulf of Mexico Region OCS Orders, will be utilised throughout the project. This Includes masting a l l applicable requirements for equipment types, general project layout, safety systems, and equipment and monitoring systems.
2. All operations wil l be covered by a M.M.S. approved oi l sp i l l contingency plan.
3. All applicable Federal, State and local requirements regarding a i r emission and water quality and discharge for the proposed act iv i t ies , as well as any other permit conditions, will be compiled with.
Due to the nature and location of the proposed dr i l l ing operations to be conducted pursuant to the Plan of Exploration, and based on the Impact assessments contained in the Environmental Report, Exxon submits that no adverse Impacts on coastal resources can reasonably be expected to occur. Likewise, activit ies conducted pursuant to this Plan of Exploration are not expected tr adversely affect or Inpact land or water ur.es within the coastal zone. The Federal consistency provisions of the Cosstal Zone Management Act only apply to OCS sct iv i t ies which affect lend or water uses within the coastal zone. The term "affecting land or water uses" Is not defined by statute, regulation, or judicial decree. To the extent that the statutory language 1s unclear, Exxon reserves Its right to seek future clarif ication as circumstances may require.
COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT
CONSISTENCY CERTIFICATION
INITIAL ruB-o;,nm«ATiPM Type of Plan
WI8T DELTA AJL1A. SL0CK3 129 and 144 Art* and Block
OCS-C 6784 and OC8-C 6789 Ltase Number
Tht proposed activities described 1n detail 1n this Plan cooply with
LOUISIAHA approved Coastal Management Program(s) snd will bt conducted
1n • manner consistent with such Progrsn(s).
Arrange.«ents hsve bttn made with the State-Tints 1n Baton Rouge, Louisiana
to publish a public notice of the proposed act iv i t ies no later than
Keeon Corporation Lessee or Operator
Certifying Official
August 10, 1984
——
IN IT IAL PLAN OF EXPLORATION
BLOCKS 129 and 144, NEST DELTA AREA
C'.'LF OF MEXICO
OFFSHORE LOUISIANA
SECTION 1i PLAN DESCRIPTION
Thla i n i t i a l Plan of E x p l o r a t i o n f o r Waat D o l t o A r o o , Blocks 129 (OCS-G 6788) ond 144 (OCS-G 6789) c o n s i s t s o f s i x p o o o i b l o we l l a ae ehown be low i
WELL ANTICIPATED LOCATION
Block 129 Leeee 6788
A 500 * FSL A 7150'FEL
B 2M)0'FSL A 7100'FEL
C 500'FSL A 2500'FEL
D 7750'FSL A 3000'FEL
Block 144 Leaae 6789
1500'FNL A 7800'FEL
2800'FNL A 8100'FEL
In the event edditionel eeieaic surveys ere conducted in the oree, e conventionel ocean-going aeieaic eurvey veaael equipped with en eppropriete hydrophone coble end non-dynoaite energy source (e .g . , oir gun) would be ueed.
Dr i l l ing on Well "A", Leeee OCS-G 6788, Block 129, Weat Delte Aree, ie plenned to coaaence about Septeabor 14, 1984 end end w i l l require ebout 92 doye to conplete.
The d r i l l i n g of eubeequent wells "8" through "0" on Block 129 end welle A end B on Block 144 wi l l depend on the reeulte of well "A" and other geologicel dete which w i l l be developed. The totol d r i l l i n g end conpletion tine for the I n i t i a l Plan of Explorotion dependo on the d r i l l i n g of e l l eix welle ond could require ebout 20 aonthe to conplete. A contlnuoue
EXXON CORPORATION
INITIAL PLAN OF EXPLORATION
BLOCKS 129 and 144, WEST DELTA AREA
GULF OF MEXICO
OFFSHORE LOUISIANA
SECTION 1
SECTION 2
SECTION 3
SECTION 4
SECTION 5
SECTION 6
SECTION 7
SECTION 8
PLAN DESCRIPTION
ORILLING EQUIPMENT
GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY RESULTS, AND SHALLOW P R I L L I N G MAZABPS HCPOWT 1
LOCATION
OIL SPILL CONTINGENCY
MUD ADDITIVES
PERMITS
PROPRIETARY DATA
TOR PUBLIC INFORMATION-
BLOCKS 129 and 144 WEST DELTA AREA
CULF OF MEXICO
OFFSHORE LOUISIANA
S E C T I O N 1i PLAN D E S C R I P T I O N ( c o n t i n u e d )
d r i l l i n g p r o g r a m , however , i e not l i k e l y . I t i e our c u r r e n t p l o n to d r i l l t h e e e w e l l e s e q u e n t i a l l y w i t h no more t h e n one w e l l b e i n g d r i l l e d e t a t i o o .
BLOCKS 129 ond 144, WEST DELTA AREA
GULF OF MEXICO
OrrSHORE ..OUISIANA
SECTION 2» DRILLING EQUIPMENT
A. DESCRIPTION
We intend to u t i l i z e the Zapata Yorktown, a 200' x 260' semisubmersible d r i l l i n g vessel, or similar drilling equipnent. The Yorktown i s moored on locotion with en 8-line epreed with eech line consisting of 2500' of 2-3/4" chein e^d 4500' of 2-3/4" wire rope. Eech line ie connected to e 40,000 pound Moorfeet enchor. A schemstic of the diverter system end e lieting of blowout prevention equipment with e configuretion schematic ere attached.
A deecriptive rig brochure wes filed in 1981.
B. EMERGENCY PLAN
Our plen for abandoning the locotion, in ceee ff? en emergency such ee e well kick, will very in eccordence with the severity of the occasion. I f the well cannot be controlled by our ueuel normsl methods, snd e possible broeching ie imminent, then enchor cheins on the down wind side of the vesael will be tightened end the rig moved off the location. Transportation will be available to evecuate personnel from the rig end eree es need be. Appropriate U. S. Coast Guard preecribed l i f e refte, jeckete, end ring buoye w i l l be provided.
C. SAFETY FEATURES
Sofety feeturee w i l l include well control end blowout prevention equlpaent to comply with OCS Order No. 2.
0. POLLUTION PLAN
Waehed cuttinge and teble ecrepe wi l l be diepoeed of into the Gulf. Pollution prevention end control feeturee w i l l prevent contamination, in eccordence with OCS Order No. 7. The vessel ie equipped with drip pens end coeaing, end euch w i l l be aeinteined. The rig hee e USCG epproved eewege unit installed.
OPERATIONAL rROCEDUAE FOF THE ZAPATA YORKTOWN DIVERTED SYSTEM
The surface divetter system ahcwn en the attached schematic in c o n t r o l l e d by a h y d r o e l e c t r i c system froa either tha nain panel on tha d r i l l f l o o r or from tha remote control pnnnl in the c o n t r n c t Toolpusher'a o f f i c e . F lu id flowing np the r i s e r can be d i rec t ed te either the port or starboard of the d r i l l vesae l by pneumatical ly c o n t r o l l e d valves through 12" welded s t e . l ine s . Zn normal operation, the d i v e r t e r element and the valve on the 14" l i n o to tho gumbo box sre open. The valve on the 12* U n loading to the two overboard linos i s c l o s e d . The v s l v e on the downwind divertor l i n e i s slwsys open. I n the event of flow, the va lve on the 12" l ine leading to the overboard l i n e s lo opened. Once th i s valve i s f u l l y opened, tho vslve on tha 14" l ine to the gumbo box automatical ly c lo se s . The d i v e r t e r element i i then c l o s e d snd tho f low i s diverted swsy from the ship through the downwind divertor l i n e .
ZAPATA YORKTOWN BLOWOUT PREVENTION PROGRAM
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION
RISER AND DIVERTER
Regan lype KFDS Diverter. Caneron Riser system with two 1?" diverter l ines, one to starboard, one to port. Riser - A Cameron ? ! " 00, 1/?" wall with Integral 3-1/?" choke and k i l l l in ts . -
BLOWOUT PREVENTERS
Two - 18-3/4", 10,000 psl UP Cameron type Double "U" BOP's with wedge locks. (Four rams - bottom three are pipe rams and top ram Is a blind/shear ram.) Two - 21-1/4", SOOO psi NP Shaffer Spherical BOP'S.
BOP CONTROL SYSTEN
Cameron Payne 300L i s i hydraulic surface accumulator unit with air end electr ic pumps. Dual control pod< are supplied by two (2) subsea hoses and a 2-7/8" 00 rigid power fluid conduit Is attached to the r iser .
SURFACE 10,000 psl system with one (1) positive, two (2) manually adjustable, and two (2) remote controlled hydraulically adjustable chokes.
c a e
BLOCKS 129 end 144 WEST DELTA AREA
GULF OF MEXICO
OFFSHORE LOUISIAMA
SECTION 2: DRILLING EQUIPMENT (continued)
E. PROJECTED GASEOUS EMISSIONS
Projected emissions fron the Zapata Yorktown aro froo four sources: power generation engines, energency generetor, crones, end storoge tank vapors. Equlpaent in ure end the locotion of the emission diacherge are shown in the etteched celculationa ond eketcn. The etteched Teble shows projected emissions for f e c i l i t i e s in this Plen. Six wella may be drilled froa theae blocke. The r' rteat distance to shore from iny point on the lueses i s 11.8 miles. In eer l i e r Plen cub-aittole, diotencee to esch well were ueed beued upon our interpretation of the Regulation that exemption calculations are to be beeod on epecific distance* of each propoeed well oite fzoa ehore. However, the MMS eree office euggeoted ueing the center of the block for en "average" distance to evoid cumbersome emissions calculations for eech eite. The neereet point of the block ia more conservative, eo we heve chosen to uae that "worst-csse" distance end the "worst-case" well in this plon ea a "one-time" celculetion of proposed emissions. I t ie not enticipeted thet theae wella w i l l be drill e d in the eoae yeer.
Bosed on the exemption forauleo ehown in *•* CFR 250.57-1(d) end the etteched calculations, i t i s believed the f a c l l l t l e e propoeed in thie Plen of Explorotion are exempt froa further eir quelity review. Onehore f a c i l i t i e a are described in Section 4; they ere not new nor ore they to be Modified.
CALCULATION OF PROJECTED EMISSIONS IAPATA YORKTOWN
West Delta Blocks 129 and 144
X. E l a c t r i e Power Generation consisting of three EMD MD16E8 ItSO rstrd horsepower, 2-Cycle, Roots blown dieael engines driving 1400 KW SOO Volt generators.
Averaqe Fual nse i s 73.2 barrels (3074 gallons) per day.
Emiasion factors provided by the Electro-Motive Divis ion of tho General Motors Corp. for the MD16EI engine at f u l l load (1950 BF) are es fo l Iowa:
* Based on su l fur content of 0.2 percent (by weight) l n Mo. 2 diesel f u e l .
Example Calculations
MOx for E l e c t r i c Power Generation (Source - lb. /day)
597.5 lb.WO, X 3.074 10 3 gal - 1836.7 lb.MO, 103gsl. day day
wox for E l e c t r i c Power Generation ( F a c i l i t y - Tone/Well)
1838.7 lb.NO, X 143day X 1 Tons -131.3 Tons NO,
day wel l 2000 l b . v e i l
XZ. Emergency Power generator engine i n a Caterp i l l ar D-353-JWAC 490 horsepower d i e s e l engine. Onit l s operated for two hours once each week.
Ee tima ted f u e l use l s 27.4 gallons per hour.
l b . / 1 0 3 t a l . of No. 2 d iese l
»Ox 13.0
S97.S CO VOC (HC) •02*
• 8.7 19.4 28.5
Page 2
C a i s s i o n factor* provided by ths Engine Div i s ion of tho C a t e r p i l l a r Tractor Co. for ths D353-JWAC engine St f u l l load (490 HP) srs s s follow*-.
l b . / 1 0 3 f s l . of wo. 2 d l s s s l
T S * 2.19 241.23
16.09 1.0
2 l . i l
• Based on sulfur content of 0.2 percent (by weight) i a Wo. 2 d l s s s l f o a l .
Example Calculations
WOx f o r Emergency Generator (Source - lb . /day) - As above
WO, f o r Emergency Generator (Fac i l i ty - Tona/veil)
12.22 l b . W0X X 20 day* X 1 Tons • 0.13 Tons WO, day wal l 2000 l b . wall
* Thaaa ars intermittent operationa resu l t ing in f luctuating amiss ions . Emergency gsnsrstor lo oparstad 2 ' ours par week or 20 time a during a 143 dsy w a l l .
2X2. Cranes a r s equipped with Caterpi l lar D-353-JWAC dieael engines r s t a d a t 490 horsepower. Average uae amounts to ona craaa f o r a i g h t houm par day.
F u a l consumption i s 219 gal Iona for 9 hours.
Emiss ion factora provldad by tha Caterp i l lar Tractor Co. ars tha sama as ln ZZ above.
Example Calculations
KO x fox crane anginas (Source - lb./day) - As above XX
WO, f o r crane uss ( F a c i l i t y - Tons/Wall)
52 . tS lb.WO, X 143 dsy X 1 • 3.71 Tons WO, day weTT 1000 ooTI
Page 3
Tank vapors result froai d i e s e l o i l e tor ego. Tota l e tor ego capac i ty l s 2400 bbl . (30-day supply) while da l ly consumption i s 7 8.6 bb l . Refueling i s performed about ones per weak. Evaporative onieeion fac tora for ao. 2 d i a s s l f u s l are obtained frost EPA AP-42 tact ion 4 .3 Storage of Petroleum Liquids , Table 4 .3-4 .
Breathing Loss 0.0038 l b . / 1 0 3 gal . /day
Working Loss 0.023 l b . / 1 0 3 gal./throughout
Exsrnplo Calculations
Average Stored veluawj
2400 b b l - 3.5 days (78.6 bbl . ) - 2125 bbl - 89.25 X 10 s g a l .
l a y "
D a i l y consumption
78.6 b b l . • 3.300 X 10 3 g a l .
Brae thing Loss
0.0039 l b . VOC X t t . 2 5 10 s gal . • 0.33 l b . VOC 10 3 gal./day day
Working Loss
0.023 l b . VOC 10 3 gal . thru.
X 3.300 10 J eal t h m • 0.01 l b . VOC
T o t a l loss - 0.43 l b . any
tKoaption Cslculstjons
t to t u o x . TSP, VOC and 8O2 • (33.3) ( 1 K 8 } • 3 9 2 > 9 T/yr
I f o r CO • (3400) (u.8 ) * / * • i 7 f M 2
TORWAAD^-
AUXILIARY GEN. EXHAUST AT SO'
3 CRANES EXHAUST AT 60'
TANK tENTS AT 40'
MAIN GEN. EXHAUST AT SO'
MAIN DECK PLAN ZAPATA YORKTOWN
Note: Heights above sea at drlg. draft
-
BLOCKS 129 and 1AA WEST DLL TA AREA
GULF OF MEXICO
OFFSHORE LOUISIANA
SECTION 3i GEOLOGICAL AND GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY RESULTS. AND SHALLOW HAZARDS REPORT 1
All anticipated geophysical work preparatory to in i t ia t ion of exploretory d r i l l i n g operetione hee been coapleted.
Meter depth on thia block verlee froa 310 to 413' . The "culturel resources" requlreaent wee not invoked for thie leeee.
fr'urouent to Notice to Lessees end Operotoro No. 83-3, doted September 7, 1983, end to 30 CFR 250.34 end 30 CFR 250.11, we heve exeained eveileble high resolution geophyoicel dete (eperker), oeieaic CDP ond bright spot informetion, velocity deta, and geologic deta end find to the beet of our knowledge, thet there ire no eignificent ehellow d r i l l i n g hezerde et the propoaed d r i l l i n g locetione.
Propoeed d r i l l i n g locetione on Block 144, Meet Delte Aree do not f e l l within the restricted three a l i o zone eround Sockett Bonk eddreeeed in Stipuletion 2 of thie leeee.
BLOCKS 129 and 144 WEST DELTA AREA
GULF OF MEXICO
OFFSHORE LOUISIANA
SECTION 4l LOCATION
A. LOCATION MAP OF BLOCK AND SHORELINE.
P l e a s e aaa at tached.
B. DESCRIPTION OF ONSHORE SUPPORT BASE F A C I L I T I E S .
The following deocrlbed coaeerciol f a c l l l t l e e for storage, stsging, end supply ore opereted by A-Z Terainel , Inc. on Haliburton Rood, Venice, Louieiene.
Approxiaotely 1200 feet of dock front edjocent to 32 ecree of lond atorege aree. Office spaces, covered storege end werehouee f a c i l i t i e s ore eveileble ee needed. Approxiaetely 1345 square feet of o f f i ce epoce. 30 perking epecee. Dieoel fuel end geeoline ere eveileble froa coaaerclal f a c l l l t l e e within one a l io of the terminsl; therefore, no fuel etorege ie required. Potoble water ie eveileble et dockeide.
The following described helicopter f e c i l i t i e e ere opereted by Petroleua Helicoptere, Inc. nn Tideweter Rood, Venice, Louisisnst
27 concrete helicopter pedo equipped with windaock direction indicator. Adequete perking epecee, o f f i ce opece, end welting f a c i l i t i e s are evei leble .
Helicopter fuel end wetor ere eveileble et the ped.
Al l f e c i l i t i e e ere coneidered adequate; no ecquieitona fo. f o c i l i t y expenaione ere conteapleted.
Other then en Exxon diepetcher, i f required, l t ie not onticipeted thet edditionel eaployeoo wi l l be required to aen thie f o c i l i t y . No edditlonal eaployaente ore foreceet et thia t iae . lapact
BLOTKS 129 and 144 WEST DELTA AREA
GULF OF MEXICO
OFFSHORE LOUISIANA
SECTION 4t LOCATION
on housing, services, end public f e c i l i t i e e ie expected to be minimal. The nunber of poreone on the dr i l l i n g veeeel will generally be between 53 end 70.
At current explorotion ectivity levels we expect 20 boot tripe end 25 helicopter flighte per nonth fron theee f a c i l i t i e s . The docks ere opproxirately two miles fron West Boy, via Tiger Psss, and once boete reech open water, they w i l l travel the noot pract i c a l , direct route to the r i g . All helicopter flighte follow the noet precticel end direct route to the r i g . The eubject well ie epproxinetely 37 nlles aouthweet of Venice, Louieiana.
C. LOCATION MAP Of BLOCK WITH WELL LOCATIONS
Pleeee eee etteched.
Open Y- J / , 79/ 90
V- /T, OSS. 90
Enon
129
OCS- G 6788
128
O p t n
ft K
_f
7'mo
E u o n \-00O'
144 tooo
\ I
O.C.S-6 6 769
o gooo 4ono rr
SCALE
Ad\TS <s?&£ WesrDetTA &i# '?9 ****
Exxon Company, U.S.A. (DIVISION OF EXXON CORPORATION) PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT
N E W O R L E A N S
I INO* MC1I0M-
AfftOVK)
l'**ooo' DATf * 7 **
X » NO. nu NO.
SCALC
6Y<9$ Exxon Company, U.S.A. (DIVISION Of EXXON CORPORATION) P R O D U C T . O N D E P A R T M E N T
NEW O R L E A N S tCM HO. CHI NO.
APWfovro
BLOCKS 129 end 144 UEST DELTA AREA
GULF OF MEXICO
OFFSHORE LOUISIANA
SECTION 51 OIL SPILL CONTINGENCY
Procedures for preventing, reporting, end cleening up o i l e p i l l e • weete • e ter i e l e ere included in contingency aonuole developed by Exxon'e Southeeetern Divieion off ice end revieione epproved January 12, 1984 by the Oil end Gee Supervieor, Gulf of Mexico, Minerals Menegeeent Service. All proceduree, pereonnel troining, end equipment ere deeigned to be in compliance with OCS Order No. 7.
The poss ibi l i ty of e e p i l l of eny neture end •egnitude hee been contemplated by the Cleen Culf Aeeocietee. Thie orgenizetion hee e membership of almost every operetor in the Gulf of Mexico, including Cxxon. CGA maintains e p i l l end contsinment equipnent et stretegic locetione elong the coeet, end ee e nenber of the orgenization, thie eqjipnent ie innediotely eveileble to Exxon. A Hot of the principel itene of euch equipnent ie included in Section I I I of the CGA "Oil S p i l l Contingency Manual."
Reeponee tine in the event of er energency on this apec i f i c leeeet
"pproximate1y 23 ninutee by helicopter.
2. Approxinetely 6.8 houre by Cleen Gulf fron ite b^«e et Grond l e l e , Louieiene, where fori reeponee eyotene ere loceted.
BLOCKS 129 end 144 WEST DELTA AREA
CULF OF MEXICO
OFFSHORE LOUISIANA
SECTION 6: MUD ADDITIVES
A. BASIC MUD COMPONENTS
Barite (Barium Sulfate) Bentonite (Sodium Montmorillonite Clay) Lignoeulfonete (Chrome Lignoaulfonete) Lignite (Leonard ite-Brown Coel) Ceue' c Soda (Sodium Hydroxide)
B. MUD ADDITIVES
Sode Aeh (Sodium Carbonate) SAPP(Sodium Acid Pyrophosphate) Sodium Bicorbonete Lioe (Celciuo Hydroxide)
C. SPECIAL PURPOSE ADDITIVES
Friction Reducers:
Lubrs-Glide (Copolymer Beede) Torq-Trim (Vegetable Oil Bore)
Lost-Clrculstion Msterisli
Mice
Nut Hulle
Special Fluid-Loss Control Agente:
CMC(Carboxymethyl Cellulose) Reeinex (Sulfoneted Lignites end Reein)
Defoeoinq Agentst
Aluminum Stearate Magconol (2-ethyl Hexanol)
D. MATERIALS SPO.TED IN HOLE BUT NOT DISCHARGED TO OCEAN
Pipe Lex (Nephe Beee) Block Magic (Oil Base) nilfoze (Clcys, Resins, Emulsifiers, end Petty Acide)
BLOCKS 129 ond 144 WEST DELTA AREA
CULF OF MEXICO
OFFSHORE LOUISIANA
SECTION 7: PERMITS
A. Required State Permits: None
B. Required Federel Permits: Coeetol Zone Manaqement RevIOMt
The ectivitleo deecribed in deteil in thie Plen of Explorotion end the ectivitleo Authorized by releted Federal permits end liceneee comply with the Louisiene Coeetel Zone Manageeent Program and w i l l be conducted in e manner coneietent with that progrea. The principel Federel Peraite ere li e t e d below:
MMS Application for Perait to D r i l l :
It ia anticlpeted the MMS, Fora 331C w i l l be filed ebout Auguet 30, 1984 pureuent to thin Plen of Explorotion.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES GENERAL PERMIT - TX 0083642
Letter of requeet to be covered under generol perait eubaitted June 6, '984.
Corps of Engineers. U. S. Amy. Notionwide PTrnU Effective July 22, 19flj!
In eddition to s c t i v i t i e s authorized by the ebove peraite, Exxon w i l l conduct certeln eupporting functiona pureuent to vsrious edditionel Federel permits, liceneee, end epprovole, euch es thoee euthorized by the Federel Communicstions Coaaieeion ond the Federel Avietion Admin-ietretion. All euch ectivitleo coaply with the Louielene Coeetel Menegeaent Progrea end w i l l be conducted in e aenner coneietent with thet progrea.
BLOCKS 129 end 144 WEST DELTA. AREA
CULF OF MEXICO
OFFSHORE LOUISIANA
SECTION 8: PROPRIETARY DATA
Location plats, a structjrel aap end throe echoaatic croee aectlone with expected depth marker foraetlone ere etteched.
A teble deecribing well perait depthe eetlaated drilling deye, end weter depthe ie ehown below.
Exxon considers the dote in thie Section to be proprietory end exeapt frow disclosure under the Freedom of Informetion Act(5U.S.C. » t ) end implementing requletlon (A3 crft Pert 2;.
CSA 1 . TITLE PAGE
P. 0. Box 3609 Jupiter/Te questa, Florida 33458
ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT (PLAN OF EXPLORATION)
GULF OF MEXICO: OFPSRORE LOUISIANA WEST DELTA AREA
3LOCK 129 (OCS-G 6788) AND
BLOCK 144 (OCS-G 6789) EXXUN CORPORATION
10 AUGUST 19P<*
MR. W. R. WARNACK EXXON COMPANY, U.S.A.
P.O. BOX 4279 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77001
TELEPHONE: (7 13) 591-5390
"Applied Murine Science 'jmi Technology"
i i
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PACE
1. TITLE PAGE i
L I S T OF FIGURES iv
2 . OESCRIPTION OP THE PROPOSED ACTION 1
(« ) DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED TRAVEL MODES AND ROUTES 1 AND FREQUENCY FOR MOVING SUPPLIES AND PERSONNEL TO AND PROM THE OFFSHORE ACTIVITY SITE ANO THE ONSHORE BASES
(b) IDENTIFICATION OF SUPPORT BASES AND NUMBER AND 1 TYPES OF NEW WORKERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROPOSED A C T I V I T I E S . REFERENCE I S ALSO MADE TO THE MOST CURRENT UPDATE OF THE SOCIOECONOMIC DATA BASE REPORT
(C) IDENTIFICATION OF THE NUMBER, LOCA'. ION, AND 1 SIZE OF ANY NEW SUPPORT F A C I L I T I E S THAT WILL NEED TO BE PROVIDED FOR THE PROPOSED A C T I V I T I E S
' J A S C R I P T I O N OF ANY NEV TECHNIQUES OR UNUSUAL 3 TECHNOLOGY THAT MAY A.PECT COASTAL WATERS
<•> MA"S ShOWING LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED 3 A C T I V I T I E S IN RELATION TO EACH OF THE AFFECTED STATES* COASTAL ZONES
i z ) FOR DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS COORDINATION 3 DOCUMENTS, THE MEANS PPOPOSEi TO TRANSPORT OIL AND GAS TO SHORE FROM THE LEA8E AREA AND THE ROUTES TO BB FOLLOWED ANO THE ESTIMATED QUANTITIES OF OIL AND GAS TO BE MOVED ALONG SUCH ROUTES
3 . DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT ANO IMPACTS 4
(a) PHY8ICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL 4
(1) COMMERCIAL FISHING 4
(2) SHIPPING 9
(3) SMALL CRAFT PLEASURE BOATING, SPORT F I S H I N G , AND RECREATION
9
I
I :
i i i
4.
5.
6 .
T A B L E OP CONTENTS (CONTINUED)
(4 ) CULTURAL RESOURCES
(5) E C O L O G I C A L L Y S E N S I T I V E FEATURES
(6) E X I S T I N G P I P E L I N E S AND C A B L E S
(7 ) OTHER MINERAL USES
(8 ) OCEAN DUMPING A C T I V I T I E S
(9 ) ENDANGERED OR THREATENED S P E C I E S
(b) SOCIOECONOMIC
UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS
( « ) SUMMARY O F THE UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS
(b) STATEMENT CONCERNING THE UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS
REFERENCES
FINDINGS
PAGE
10
11
15
16
16
16
17
18
18
18
20
22
•
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE DESCRIPTION
1 LOCATION OF WEST DELTA AREA BLOCKS 129 AND 144 RELATIVE TO THE LOUISIANA COASTAL 20NP (ADAPTED FROM: USDOI, MMS, 1983).
2 LOCATICN OF DRILLSITES IN WEST DELTA AREA BLOCK 144 RELATIVE TO SACKETT BANK (ADAPTED FROM: USDOI, MMS, 1983).
1
2. DESCRIPTION OF TKE PROPOSED ACTION
(a) DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED TRAVEL MODES AND ROUTES AND FREQUENCY FOR MOVINg SUPPLIES ANO PERSONNEL To AHD~FROM T H E OFFSHORE ACTTVITV SITE AHD THE ONSHORE BASES
Exxon Company, U .S .A. (Exxon) a d iv is ion of Exxon
Corporation plans to conduct exploratory ac t iv i t i e s in West
De l ta Area Blocks 129 and 144. Helicopters and boats w i l l
move supplies and personnel to and from the offshore and
onahore locations. Helicopters w i l l make 2S round tripe per
month, and boats w i l l make 20 round tr ips per month. I f
s erv ic ing only the proposed lease area, helicopters and boats
w i l l normally take the most direct route, weather and t r a f f i c
conditiona permitting (see Figure 1) .
(b) IDENTIFICATION OF SUPPORT BASES AND MUMBER AND TYPES OF NEW WORKERS ASSOCIATED WITH THE pkOEOSEp ACffOTrTgsT pTFgRTWcfi IS ALSO MADE TO THK H05T CURRENT OPDATE ST T H E SOCIOECONOMIC DATA BASE REPORT
The support baae w i l l be located in Venice, Louisiana.
Tha base is capable of providing the services neceeeary for
tha proposed a c t i v i t i e s . No new f a c i l i t i e s or workers w i l l
bs needed for the proposed a c t i v i t i e s . The I n i t i a l OCS
Socioeconomic Data Base Re pott wi l l be developed after the
MMS and the Spates of Manama, Louisiana, and Mississippi
have identilied tha spec i f i c parameters to be addressed in
r.h*ee semiannual reports .
• c ) IDENTIFICATION OF THE NUMBER, LOCATION, AND STZE OF AMY NE» SDPPOST FACILITIES THAT WttL N E T T J ^ ^ H n t c ^ i T j E p — POR THE PROPOSED ACTT'^.TCT
No new support f a c i l i t i e s w i l l be needed for the
propoeed a c t i v i t i e s .
a r j a t j t_i L J r J i J t J i j L 1 i 1 i J i i i j L i
LOUISIANA COASTAL ZONE
SCALE IN AMLES 10 20 30 40
0 30 00
SCALE M KR.0AOITERS
FIGURE 1. LOCATION OF WEST OELTA AREA BLOCKS 1*0 ANO 144 RELATIVE TO TME LOUISIANA COASTAL ZONE (ADAPTED FROM: U80OL IS4S. 1883).
(d ) DESCRIPTION OP ANY NEW TECHNIQUES OR UNUSUAL TECHNOLOCY
THAT MAY AFFECT COASTAL WATERS
No new techniques or unusual technology w i l l be used
during the proposed ac t i v i t i e s .
(e) MAPS SHOWING LOCATION OP THE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES IN
RETJTTON" TO EACH OP THE AFFECTE5 STATES' COASTAL 2QNES
Figure 1 shows the location of the proposed ac t i v i t i e s
in relation to each of the affected States' coastal zones.
The proposed a c t i v i t i e s w i l l take place in waters adjacent to
the State of Louisiana.
( f ) FOR DEVELOPMENT OPERATIONS COORDINATION DOCUMENTS, fHE MEANS PROPOSED TO TRANSPORT OIL AMP CAS TO SHORE PROM THE LEASE AREA ANb THE ROUTES TO BE FOLLOwBb ATfo THE ESTIMATED QUANTITIES OF OIL ANb CAS TO BE M0vlb~ A LONC SuCri ROUTES
This Plan i s exploratory. No o i l or gas w i l l be
produced for ssle from tuese proposed ac t iv i t i es at th is
time.
4
3. DESCRIPTION OF THE AFFECTED ENVIRONMENT AND IMPACTS
(a) PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL
(1) Commercial Pishing
The proposed a c t i v i t i e s are located within some of
the most productive fishing grounds in the Gulf of Mexico.
National Marine Fisheries Service Zone 13, which includes the
leaae area, accounted for epproxlaately 8.5% of the
commercial f i s h e r i e s harvest from the western and central
Gulf of Mexico (USDOI, BLM, 1981, Visual No. 5; USDOI, MMS,
1983, Visus l No. 4 ) . Gulf waters account for approximately
30% of the to ta l annual U.S. f i sher ies harvest (USDC, ;982).
The Gulf f ishery is dominated by the s h e l l f i s h
f i sher ies . Shrimps, crabs, and oysters (with smaller amounts
of clams and scallops) are the most valuable f i sher ies and
are usually worth three or four times more than the greater
volume of f i n f i s h catch (USDOI, BLM, 1979). The USDC ( 1982)
l i s t s the annual commercial f i sher i e s landings s t a t i s t i c s for
the northern Gulf coast area onshore from the lease area.
The shrimp fishery in the Gulf of Mexico includes the
brown (Penaeus aztecus), white (P. s e t i f e rus ) , and pink
(P. duorarum) shrimps. These species are taken almost
exclusively by trawls ' . depths ranging from approximately 2
tc 73 m (6 to 240 f t ) . These shrimps are estuarine-dependent
species which spawn in the open ocean, go through a series of
larval phases in the plankton, migrate during the post-larval
phase to the estuarine nursery areas, and then return to the
open Gulf as adul ts . The USDO*, BLM (1977, Visual Ko. 5)
indicates the seasonal variation in the habits of each of
these species. The leaae area is located outside the major
shriap spawning grounds and migration routes in the northern
Gulf (USDOI, MMS, 1983, visual No. 4 ) . Planktonic eggs and
larval stages of a l l commerci-i'.y important shrimp species
may occur per iodica l ly in -he lease area.
The blue crab (Cal l sa^.idus) makes up 98% of the
crab harvest in the Gulf -texico (Ri ley , i970). I t s l i f e
cycle <8 s imilar to the shrimps' in that i t has planktonic,
estuarine, and open ocean phases. Adults spend most of their
lives i.i the estuaries; thus, the blue crab harvest i s taken
primarily injhore of the leaae area. Gravid females migrate
to the open Gulf to release their eggs during spring and
summer. Consequently, gravid females and planktonic larvae
may occur seasonally i . . the lease area.
The proposed act iv i t i es are located within commercially
important f i n f i s h fishing grounds (USDOI, MMS, 1983, Visus l
No. 4). Three species of menhaden known from the Gult make
up the major f i n f i s h tonnage taken. Theee are Brevoortia
patronus, B. gunterl , and B. smith!. ftrevoortia patronus
comprises moat of the Gulf catch. Pui? reining i s the aajor
capture meth-d ueed in this f i shery (Lindall et a l . , 1972).
Red enapper (Lut janua campechams) and various species
of grouper ( i . e . , the red grouper Epinephelus morio and jag
fa
Mycteroperca microlepis) compose the commercial hook-and-1ine
fishery of the northern Gulf of Mexico. These fishas may be
taken over irregular bottom areas in depths of 2 to 305 m (5
co 1,000 ft) (TerBcc Corporation, 1976).
The atriped mullet (Mugil cephalus) i s generally found
in nearshore areas such as harbors, estuaries, bays, and
along beaches. I t i s a schooling fish and i s generally token
with seines and trawls.
The Atlantic croaker (Micropoqonlas undulatus) i s an
abundant fish in estuarine waters. Perret et a l . (19"")
reported croaker to be the most abundant juvenile commercial
flah taken in estuaries. Croaker i s harvested and marketed
both as a food fish and as an industrial bottom fish (Lindall
et a l . , 1972).
The Florida pompano (Trachinotus carollnu*) ia primarily
an inshore fi s h that ia taken mostly in the surf or et
passes. I t i s seasonally abundant (January to April) in
shrimping area.'.
The Spanish macke-el (Scomberomorus maculatua) migrates
seasonally along the Gulf coast. I t i s generally taken in
nearshore areas.
The red drum (Sciaenops ocellatuo) ie taken
predominantly in nearshore habitats, as are the sheepshead
(Archosargus probatocephalus), flounders, and the black drum
(Pogonias cromls).
:
:
— j
]
:
j
Seatrouts, i nc lud inq the spotted (Cynoscion nebulosus),
the s i lve r (C. nothus) , and the sand (C arenar iua) , are
important to the *>ottom f i s h f i s h e r i e s in the northern Gulf
( L i n d a l l et a l . , 1972). They are usual ly taken in o f fehore
areas with bottom t r awl s .
TerEco Corporat ion (1976) describes some add i t i ona l f i a h
species of the nor thern Gulf which are important to
commercial and/or sport fishermen and t h e i r predominant
method of capture. Most of the northern Gulf f i shes are
temperate, wi tn some incursions from Caribbean fauna. They
e x h i b i t seasonal d i s t r i b u t i o n and abundance f l u c t u a t i o n s
r e l a t ed to oceanographic conditions (USDOI, MMS, 1983,
p . 174j. Many of the coastal species ( e . g . , the croaker,
J Mlcropogonlas undulatus) are eatuarine-dependent, because
- j estuaries or coas ta l marshes are a c r i t i c a l habi ta t during
some phaae of t h e i r l i f e cycles. Rogers (1977) postulated a
ne t inshore-offshore movement fo r many demersal shelf f i s h
species. Thus, i t is probable that many of theee species msy
occur in the lease area at some phase of t h e i r x i f e cycles .
Eggs and larvae (ichthyoplankton) of various
commercially important f i s h species are probably also present
i n the leaae area on occasion. S ix ty -n ine f i s h species have
been i d e n t i f i e d from zooplankton samples taken along the
northern Gulf coast . Dominant taxa were the f ami l i e s
Sparidae, L u t j a n i d a e , T r ig l i dae , Serranidae, and
— Synodontidae. Stenotomus capcinus, Prist ipomoidcs
:
3
:
B
a g u l l o n a n s , Pr l o n o t u s p a r a l a t u s , Serranus a t rohranchus , and
Synodus foetens wer»» the most impor t an t species ( C h i t t e n d e n
and Moore, 1976). Because the m a j o r i t y o f i c h t h y o p l a n k t e r s
a r e a t the mercy o f wa te r movements, t h e i r d i s t r i b u t i o n s •• i r y
c o n s i d e r a b l y w i t h space and t i m e . The p r imary f a c t o r s
i n f l u e n c i n g i c h t h y o p l a n k t o n i n the n o r t h e r n G u l f are the Loop
C u r r e n t , the M i s s i s s i p p i River , and l o c a l r u n o f f . nue t o
" p a t c h i n e s s " i n d i s t r i b u t i o n s , presence and abundance o f
i c h t h y o p l a n k t o n at any q iven ins tance cannot be p r e d i c t e d .
The proposed a c t i v i t i e s p robab ly w i l l t e m p o r a r i l y
d e g r a d e the water q u a l i t y in the immediate v i c i n i t y of the
d r i l l s i t e due t o d i s c h a r g e s of d r i l l i n g f l u i d s and c u t t i n g s .
T h i s may cause c e r t a i n f i s h species t o avo id the area .
Commercia l f i s h i n g may be a f f e c t e d t e m p o r a r i l y . The
s i t u a t i o n should r e v e r t to normal as soon as d r i l l i n q i s
c o m p l e t e d . C u m u l a t i v e e f f e c t s o f i n c r e a s i n g o i l and qas
a c t i v i t i e s o f f the n o r t h e r n Gulf coas t on annual catches are
a s y e t unknown. However, the re a re no l a t a t o i n d i c a t e t h a t
o i l and gas a c t i v i t i e s are r e s p o n s i b l e f o r any d e c l i n e i n
a n n u a l catches (USDOI, BLM, 1979, p . 1 8 1 ) .
Any o i l s p i l l t h a t would impact the s e a f l o o r cou ld
c o n c e i v a b l y k i l l b e n t h i c organisms such ar; shrimps o r cause a
v a r i e t y of s u b l e t h a l e f f e c t s . The p o t e n t i a l l ong - t e rm
e f f e c t s of J s p i l l on the benthos a re unclear because r e s u l t s
o f hydrocarbon a n a l y s e s are i n c o n c l u s i v e (USDOI, BLM, 1979,
p . 160).
9
An o i l s p i l l would temporarily degrade water quality and
Introduce toxins into the water. Ichthyoplankton, i f
present, may he k i l l e d or functionally impaired. However,
most adult f ishes encountering a s p i l l and associated toxic
water would probably exhibit avoidance behavior. This e f fect
would be ten. >rary and fishes should return to the area after
dispersal of the s p i l l . No s ignif icant or persistent J i r e c t
ef fects from an o i l s p i l l on f ish populations would be
expected. Recruitment from surrounding areas should quickly
replenish any affected ichthyoplankton populations once the
s p i l l haa dispersed. Any s p i l l would be handled according to
an o i l api l l contingency plan approved by the MMS.
(2) Shipping
The northwest corner of West Delta Area Block 144
and the northwest ha l f of west Delta Area Block 129 are
located within tha fairway leading to Southwest Pasa (USDOI,
MMS, 1983, v i sua l No. 11). The proposed act iv i t i es are rated
as having maximum potential impact on shipping as they are
less than 5 km (2.6 NN) from a fairway (USDOI, BLM, 1979,
' p. 145). A l l s tructures wl l l >e located outside ••he shipping
fairway. The offahora structure w i l l he equipped wich a l l
aafety equipment required by the U.S. Coast Guard and the MMS
to alert ships of i t s presence ln s i l weather conditions.
(3) Small C r a f t Pleasure Boating, Sport Pishing, and Recreation
Ditton and Graefe (1978) determined that o i l and
gas structures are the most popular offshore recreation
10
destination areas, attracting 87% of the boats that fished
offshore in their study area. Certain pleasure boats ( i . e . ,
sailboats, pleasure yachts, and/or open orean racing pcver
boats) may be s l i g h t l y inconvenienced by having to maneuver
around the offshore structure and i t s support veesels. Thie
inconvenience l-J considered extremely minor as offshore
structures can be avoided and ample maneuvering room i s
available.
Any sports fishing which might occur in th* lease area
could be temporarily affected by degradation of water quality
during d r i l l i n g . Such a change in water quality could cause
some desirable species to avoid the immediate lease area.
However, any such effecta are expected to be temporary and
localized and should not affect any flehery potential in the
area JS a whole. Populationa should return to normal once
drilling is completed.
(4) Cultural Resources
Coasta! environments. Inc. P977) has idsntified
two «.ypes of culturel resources which may be found in the
northern Gulf of Mexico areai ( l ) hist o r i c cultural resourcee
or shlpwtecke and (2) prehistoric cultural reaourcas or
traces of previously undescribed humsn civ i l i z a t i o n s (USDOI,
MMS, 1983, pp. 228-240). Approximately 82% of the known
shipwrecks are located within 10 km (5 NM) of shore, with
only a smell percentage occurring on the OCS (USDOI, BLM,
1979, p. 91). Known submarine archeological sites are
11
extremely rare , with none being ident i f ied to date in Pederal
offshore leasing areas (USDOI, BLM, 1979, p. 91).
The proposed ac t iv i t i e s are located outside the Historic
and Prehistoric C u l u r a l Resources High Probability Lines
(USDOI, MMS, 1983, Visual No. 11) and therefore are in a
large offshore area where h i s tor i c and prehisU ic resources
are considered unlikely to be found. An Archeological Survey
waa not required for this lease area.
(5) Ecological ly Sensitive Features
Several areas of environmental concern are located
onahore of the lease area. The Louisiana Coastal Zone
Management Program has been developed by the State to
regulate the s igni f icant land and water a c t i v i t i e s between
thr outer l imit of the coastal waters and land up tc the
Intracoastal Waterway and/or the 10-ft contour. Land uses
which are regulatod are those that have a direct and
significant impact on thc coastal area requiring a State
perait, and those which are required by Federal law to be
consistent with the management program (USDC and LDNR, 1980).
The program provides for the protection of beaches, dunes,
wetlands, submerged grass beds, barr ier islands, oyster
reefs, cu l tura l resources, water qual i ty , air qual i ty ,
biological resources, and w i l d l i f e habitat. Unique
ecological features include zoological, botanical, and
geological formations character i s t i c of coastal processes
(Burk and Associates, I n c . , 1975; USDC and LDNR, 1980).
12
Biologically sensitive ureas of the north-central Gulf area
include estuarine and coastal ecosystems comprised of salt
marshes, oyster beds, grass beds, barrier beaches, and dunes
(Coastal Environments, Inc., 1980). These coastal ecosystems
contain nursery areas for many species of economic importance
as well as habitat, rookeries, major overwintering s i t e s , a.id
neating areas for many endangered and threatened species,
euch as the southern bald eagle, brown pelican, golden eagle,
osprey, rwd cockaded woodpecker, American peregrine falcon,
and various marine turtles (USDOI, Rr.M, 1979, Visual No. 3;
Coastal Environmenta, Inc., 1980; USDC and LCNR, 1980).
There are two existing "Special Management Areas"
designated by the Louisiana Coastal Management Program (USDC
and LDNR, 1980, pp. 104-108). rhese areas are the "Louisiana
Offshore Oil Port" (LOOP or 3uperport) and the "Narah Island
Wildlife Refuge and Game Preserve." The lease area is
located 2 J 3 kn (126 NM) east-southeast of Marsh leland
Wildlife Refuge and Game Preserve and 47 km (25 NM) southeaat
of the LOOP. None of the proposed a c t l v i t l e a In this leese
srss should hsve any effect upon the Special Management
Areas.
Conspicuous areas of environmental concern for Louisiana
are depicted by the USDOI, BLM (1979, visual Nos. 1 and 4)
and the USDC and LDNR ( 1980, Figure No. D-1).
The coaatal zone area ia also of recreational importance
to residents and tourists. Most recreational a c t i v i t i e s
13
focus on the area's water resources which include beaches,
boating areas, and fishing areas.
One area of designated biological significance I s
located in the v i c i n i t y of the proposed a c t i v i t i e s .
According to the USDOI, NHS, the southwest corner of Block
144 is located within the "3 Nile Zone" of Sackett Bank and
i s subject to the conditions of th* biological leaee
Stipulation No. 2. This stipulation states that for
a c t i v i t i e s occurring within the "1 Nile Zone" the Operator
has the option of shunting a l l d r i l l i n g cuttings and f lu ids
to the botton through a downpioe thst terminates no more than
10 m (3? f t ) from the bottom, or conducting an environmental
monitoring plan designed to assess the effects of o i l and gae
exploration and development operations on the b iot ic
communities of the nearby bank (USDOI, NHS, 1983). Exxon
proposes to d r i l l two exploratory wells in Block 144. These
walls and a l l associated exploratory a c t i v i t i e s w i l l be
located in the area of the block outside the "3 Nile Zone"
where the biological Stipulation No. 2 doee not apply (Pigure
2 ) . The proposed exploratory a c t i v i t i e s ' w i l l not affect any
remnant coastal bmkc or oyster grounds.
While o i l s p i l l s during d r i l l i n g operations sre rare
(Danenberger, 1976), the poss ib i l i ty of a s p i l l does e x i s t .
011 fouling in any coastal area could direct ly or indirect ly
affect a variety of species, including threatened or
endangered species or species important to commercial and
sport f i s h e r i e s . Di rec t e f f e c t s on h io t a would include
fou l ing ( p a r t i c u l a r l y b i r d s ) , s u f f o c a t i o n ( p a r t i c u l a r l y
f ishes and t u r t l e s ) , and t o x i c i t y from contact or from the
inqestion of o i l or contaminated food . Any of these e f f e c t s
could be l e t h a l , cause weakening, or cause a greater
s u s c e p t i b i l i t y t o predat ion. S i g n i f i c a n t ecological or
economic impacts could also r e s u l t from the f o u l i n g of oyster
beds and h a b i t a t s . Ind i rec t e f f e c t s would include the
destruction o f c r i t i c a l hab i t a t s , espec ia l ly breeding and
nursery areas. Any e f f e c t s on endangered or threatened
species would be s i g n i f i c a n t .
Oi l f o u l i n g o f the coastal area cou!d also have adverse
socioeconomic e f f e c t s . Tourism is an important part o f Gulf
coast economies. Removal of beach or other coastal areas
from rec rea t iona l use by o i l f o u l i n g would s i g n i f i c a n t l y
decrease tour ism i n the a f fec ted area and cause loss of
income and a v a r i e t y of r i p p l e e f f e c t s in local economies.
Any s p i l l would be handled according to an o i l s p i l l
contingency plan approved by the MMS. I f a s p i l l d id occur
during opera t ions , i t seems u n l i k e l y that i t would a f f e c t any
nearshore or onshore areas or resources.
(6) E x i s t i n g Pipelines and Cables
There are no ex i s t i ng p ipe l ines or cables i n Block
144 (USDOI, MMS, 1984). A Marathon Pipel ine Company 12-in
o i l p i p e l i n e , a Texas Eastern Tre imiss ion Company 20-in gas
pipel ine , an Exxon Pipeline Company 12-in o i l p i p e l i n e , and
16
an Exxon P i p e l i n e Coinpany 8 - i n l i q u i d qas p i p e l i n e a l l run
p a r a l l e l t o each o t h e r i n a no r thwes t t o southeas t d i r e c t i o n
th rough the n o r t h e a s t corner o f B l o c k 129 (USDOI, MMS, 1984) .
The p i p e l i n e s w i l l be avoided d u r i n q t h e proposed
a c t i v i t i e s .
(7) Other M i n e r a l Uses
Other t h a n p o t e n t i a l o i l and qas r e s e r v e s , t h e r e
a r e no known m i n e r a l resources i n the lease a rea .
(9) Ocean Dumping A c t i v i t i e s
The p roposed a c t i v i t i e s a re not l o c a t e d i n an area
des igna ted f o r ocean dumping a c t i v i t i e s .
(9) Endangered o r Threatened Species
The USDOI, BLM (1979, p . 45) cons ide r s p o s s i b l e
impacts o f l ease a c t i v i t i e s on endanqered species i n t h i s
area o f the G u l f t o be temporarv , l o c a l i z e d , and chance
occur rences . I t has judged the p o t e n t i a l impacts on
endangered s p e c i e s t o be remote p o s s i b i l i t i e s w i t h o u t major
p o t e n t i a l f o r d i r e c t e f f e c t s on any s i n g l e s p e c i e s . I n
a d d i t i o n , i t has beei. determined t h a t lease a c t i v i t i e s w i l l
no t r e s u l t I n t h e d e s t r u c t i o n o r m o d i f i c a t i o n o f d e s i g n a t e d
c r i t i c a l h a b » t a t 3 o r p o t e n t i a l c r i t i c a l h a b i t a t s . Onshore
f a c i l i t i e s a r e l o c a t e d i n a p r e v i o u s l y developed area and
pose no new o r a d d i t i o n a l t h r e a t t o endangered or t h r e a t e n e d
spec ies .
A p p r o x i m a t e l y s i x endangered spec ies o f cetaceans occur
Gulf o f M e x i c o . They are the b lue whale (Bal aenoptera
17
musculus) , f i n wha le (Ba laenop te ra p h y s a l u s ) , humpback whale
;Megaptera n o v a e a n g l i a e ) , r i g h t whale (Eubalaena g l a c i a l i s ) ,
s e i whale ( B a l a e n o p t e r a bo rea l i s ) , and sperm whale (Physe ter
ca todon) . G e n e r a l l y , most o f these l a r g e r cetaceans occur i n
c o n t i n e n t a l s h e l f , s l o p e , o r deep ocean ic waters (USDOI, BLM,
1981). The s t a t u s and m i g r a t i o n p a t t e r - s o f these spec ies i n
t he Gulf o f Mex ico are unknown (Lehman, 1982) .
Several endangered o r t h r e a t e n e d j p e c i e s o f sea t u r t l e s ,
i n c l u d i n g the Kemp's r i d l e y ( L e p i d o c h e l y s k e m p i i ) , h a w k s b i l l
( Eretmochelys i m b i r c a t a ) , l e a t h e r b a c k (Dermochelys c o r i a c e a ) ,
loggerhead ( C a r e t t a c a r e t t a ) , and green (Che lon i a mydas) , may
o c c a s i o n a l l y v i s i t the Ier>e a r e a .
The p r i m a r y danger t o mar ine t u r t l e s would be > ib le
c o l l i s i o n s w i t h b o a t s . A d u l t t u r t l e s , e s p e c i a l l y
loggerheads, seem t o be a t t r a c t e d t o o f f s h o r e s t r u c t u r e s f o r
feeding and r e s t i n g (USDOI, BLM, 1979, p . 1651 i n c r e a s i n g the
p r o b a b i l i t y o f c o l l i s i o n s . No c r i t i c a l h a b i t a t f o r any o f
theae spec ies i s known to e x i s t i n the lease area (USDOI,
BLM, 1979, p p . 7 3 - 7 4 ) .
(b) SOCIOECONOMIC
The i n i t i s l OCS Socioeconomic Data Base Report w i l l be
developed a f t e r t he MMS and t h e S t a t e s o f Alabama, L o u i s i a n a ,
and M i s s i s s i p p i have i d e n t i f i e d the s p e c i f i c parameters to be
addressed i n t hese semiannual - e p o r t s . No new personnel w i l l
be needed f o r t h e proposed a c t i v i t i e s .
1 H
4. UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS
(a) SUMMARY OP THE UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS
Offshore structures w i l l result in minimal naviqational
interference to ships using established fairways. However,
during times of reduced v i s i b i l i t y , vessels have the greatest
potential to deviate from established fairways and impact
offshore structures (USDOI, BLM, 197°, p. 230). Discharge of
dr i l l ing muds and cuttings and a i r emissions during d r i l l i n g
operations w i l l adversely affect marine organisms, water and
air quality, and commercial f ishing as described by the USDOI,
BLM (1979, pp. 229-230). These impacts aro temporary,
however, and w i l l be limited to an extremely small area.
They are j u s t i f i e d by the national interest in discovering
and developing badly needed leserves of o i i and gas. During
the exploratory operations, a l l discharges w i l l comply with
a l l applicable MMS and EPA requirements. No s igni f icant
adverse Impacts are expected. The propoaed a c t i v i t i e s
covered by th i s Plan should not result ln unavoidable impacts
on wetlanda, cultural resources, recreational ( a c t i v i t i e s ,
shoreline aesthetics, or other lend uees.
(b) STATEMENT CONCERNING THE UNAVOIDABLE ADVERSE IMPACTS
None of the environmental consequences expected luring
norm/1 operations should produce s ignif icant or cumulative
adveree environmental e f fec t s . The effects of a possible o i l
s p i l l should have no overall cumulative or long-term effect
19
on the envir ..ient, except in th* possible event of
contamination of endanc»red mar In- species. A e p i l l would be
handled according to an o i l s p i l l . ntlnqency plan approved
by the HMS. Thus, i t ia unlikely • it a s p i l l would occu1
during operations and affect any nearshore or onshore areas
or resources. The proposed a c t i v i t i e s should have no
significant impact on endangered species or c r i t i c a l habitat.
The information presenter in thie Environmental Report
indicates no c lear or preeent reason not to proceed with the
proposed a c t i v i t i e s . Withdrawal of the Plan would reeult ln
the loss of potential hydrocarbon production from th<s area.
JO
5. REFERENCES
Burk and Assoc iates , I n c . 1975. Lou i s iana coas ta l resources Inventory. V o l . I . Geographic Areas of P a r t i c u l a r Concern. New O r l e a n s , LA.
C h i t t e n d e n , N. E . , J r . and D. Moore. :976. Composition of the ichthyof*'»na inhabi t ing the 110-m bathymetric contour of the Gul f of Mexico, M i s s i s s i p p i River to the Rio Grande. Oepartment of Marine Resources Information Center for Marine Research, Texas AtM U n i v e r s i t y . 15 pp.
C o a s t a l Environments, I n c . 1977. C u l t u r a l resources evaluation of the northern Gulf of Mexico. National Park Serv ice , Washington, D . C .
C o a a t a l Environments, I n c . 1980. CPA-2, Offshore Mias i s s ipp i -Alabt -na-P lor id . , b i o l o g i c a l l y s e n s i t i v e areas . Baton Rouge, LA.
Danenberger, F . P. 1976. O i l s p i l l s , 1971-1975. Gulf of Mexico outer c o n t i n e n t a l s h e l f . Geo log ica l Survey C i r c u l a r No. 74*.
D l t t o n , R. 8. and A. R. Graefe . 1978. Recreat iona l f i s h e r y use of a r t i f i c i a l reef8 on the Texas c o a s t . Department of Recreat ional P a r k s . Texas A*M U n i v e r n i t y . 155 pp.
Lehman, J . 198.. Personal communication. Minerals Management S e r v i c e , OCS ' V i c e , Meta ire , LA.
L i n d a l l , W. N . , J r . , J . R. H a i . , J . R. Sykes, and B. L . Arno.'d, J r . 1972. Louis iana c o a s t a l zone: Analyses of resourceJ and resource development need ln connection with a s t u a r l n e ecology. Sect ions 10 and 13, F i s h e r y
, Reaourcas and t h e i r Needs. Report to the U.S . Army Corps of E n g i n e e r s , New O r l e a n s , LA. Contr ibut ion No. 14-17-002-430. 323 pp.
P e r r e t , N. 8 . , B . b . B a r r e t t , W. R. I . a t a p i c , J . F . P i l l a r d , W. R. Nock, C . B. Adkins, W. J . G a i d r y , and C . J . White. 1971. Cooperat ive Gulf of Mexico E s t u a r i n e Inventory and Study, L o u i a i a n a . Phase I , Area d e e c r i p t i o n . Phase I V , Biology. Loui s iana w i l d l i f e and F i s h e r i e s Commission.
R i l e y , P. 1970. F i s h e r i e s of the United S t a t e s , T969. U.8. Department of the I n t e r i o r , Bureau of Commercial F i s h e r i e s . C . F . S . No. 5300. 87 pp.
21
Rogers.- R. M. , J r . 1977. Trophic interrelationships of selected fishes on the continental shelf of the northern Gulf of Mexico. Ph.D. dissertation, Texas A&M University. 229 pp.
TerEco Corporation. 1976. Ecological Aspects of the Upper Continental Slope of the Gulf of Mexico. A report to the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Gulf of Mexica OCS Office, New Orleans, LA. Contract No. 08550-CT4-12.
U.S. Department of Commerce. 1982. Current Fisheries Statistics No. 8200. Fisheries of the United States, 1981. U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
U.S. Department of Commerce and Louisi ia Department of Natural Resources. 1980. Louisiana Coastal Resources Program Final Environmental Impact Statement. Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Baton Rouge, LA.
U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management. 1977. Final Environmental Impact Statement. Proposed 1977 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease Sale 47, Gulf of Mexico.
U S. Department of the 'nterior. Bureau of Land Management. 1979. Pinal Environmental Impact Statement. Propoeed 1979 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Lease dale SSA, Western and Central Gulf of Mexico. 181 pp.
U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Lend Management. 1981. Final Environmental Impact Statement. Proposed 1981 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leaee Sales 67 and 69, Gulf of Mexico. 300 pp.
U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerala Management Service. 1983. Final Regional Environmental lapact Statement. Gulf of Mexico. 1,004 pp.
U.S. Department or the Interior, Minerala Management Service. 1984. Personal communication. OCS Office, Metarie, LA.
22
6. FINAL STATEMENT
1. Exxon's Plan of Exploration (Section-7) for OCS-G 6788
and OCS-G 6789 addresses a l l of the permits, l i censes ,
and clearances needed to conduct the ac t iv i t i e s described
In the Plsn.
2. To the best of our knowledge, s i l of the data necessary
for Coastal Zona Managenent Review ia contained in thia
Environmental Raport and the accompanying Plan.
3. The proposed d r i l l i n g ac t iv i t i e s are located outside of
the Louisiana Coaatal Zone, and are not expected to
affect any Special Management Zone.
4. No signif icant jatrimental Impact l s l ikely to occur to
water or land uses in the coastal sones as a result of
act iv i t ies propoaad in the Plan.
5. Each of the propoaed a c t i v i t i e s , their associated
f a c i l i t i e s , snd their effects sre coneietent with the
provisions of the T.ouislana Coastsl Management Prog rar